No Growth, No Decline

The past couple years of surveys show the Strip poker action holding steady, though at a low point.

Winter 2018: 131 games (-1)
Winter 2017: 132 games

Autumn 2017: 108 games (-1)
Autumn 2016: 109 games

Spring 2017: 109 games (-3)
Spring 2016: 112 games

Stronger Economy; Better Poker Action?

If there’s a reason to be optimistic going forward, it may be due to the growing U.S. national economy. There is some belief the U.S. may be headed to GDP (gross national product) growth in excess of 4% annually. The U.S. hasn’t experienced that since 1997-2000. In fact, the only years to exceed 3% growth since then are 2004 and 2005.

A growing economy with full employment and rising wages would provide consumers with more disposable income. Some of that would surely find its way into the gaming industry and, hopefully, into the poker rooms. 2018 may be a critical year for the U.S., global, and poker economies.

2-3 No-limit Hold ‘em

2-3 no-limit hold ‘em, which was first regularly spread at the Rio over a year ago, has popped up in two more rooms- Bally’s and the Flamingo. I’ve also seen interest lists for it at Harrah’s which had a game running a year ago.

If this “in between 1-2 and 2-5” game becomes more popular, I hope we can track whether it draws players from the smaller stakes games or from the larger stakes games.

Bellagio

For the first time in our surveys, the Bellagio had ten 1-3 (or 1-2) no-limit hold ‘em games. I expect a critical reason for this is the removing of several tables on the left-hand side of the poker room where the no-limit hold ‘em games are usually spread. By removing these tables, that side of the room has become much more comfortable and navigable. In years past, calling it a congested mess would be an understatement and I’m sure many players avoided the room because of it.

A 20-40 mixed game has become a daily occurrence. It seems to have displaced the 40-80 mixed game, though. The games played tend to be consistent and usually include:

Badugi

2-7 triple draw

A-5 triple draw (occasionally)

Badeucey

Badacey

Archie

Super stud hi-low 8 or better

Super stud hi-low regular

Super razzdugi

Omaha 8 or better

Double board Omaha high (occasionally)

The 20-40 Omaha 8 or better is nearly dead. Though, it unpredictably pops up occasionally. Most of the regular players who started this game everyday have moved to the Orleans 8-16 games.

The 30-60 stud game gets an interest list every Friday and Saturday. But, only seems to go about half the time.

Aria

For the second time in three surveys, Aria had only five 1-3 no-limit hold ‘em games. Given that the Winter survey always produces better numbers across the board, this is something to keep any eye on going forward.

The rest of Aria’s typical games looked good, especially their four pot-limit Omaha games.

Encore

The nine 1-3 no-limit hold ‘em games surveyed this time are the most ever for Encore/Wynn. Again, the comfort of the room (and overall quality) is surely a reason why Encore has built its 1-3 no-limit hold ‘em games since the new room opened.

Venetian

Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace had only one 2-5 no-limit hold ‘em game running. Given that the room seemed to have some momentum since it moved a few years ago, this survey produced a weak result.

Small Rooms

Bally’s seems to be in decline for no reason that I can point to. With its central location on the Strip, it should be a convenient place for tourists to congregate.

Mandalay Bay also had its worst surveyed numbers with just two games. Many years ago, it could fill all ten of its tables. But, it’s been in steady decline for a decade now.

However, I still think the Mandalay Bay poker room looks as good as it ever has.

The Flamingo had a strong no-limit hold ‘em turnout with six games. Combined with its three 2-4 fixed limit hold ‘em games, the Flamingo consistently offers the most action among the small rooms.

Off-Strip Rooms

Here’s the data for some poker rooms off the Strip.

Orleans

Powered by its seven Omaha 8 or better games, the Orleans is still the #1 room off the Strip. It’s also been reliably spreading 8-16 fixed limit hold ‘em at a time when the Bellagio’s 9-18 game is erratic.

Suncoast

We were able to add the Suncoast to our survey. I was happy to see a 4-8 stud 8 or better game running there.